Director of Financial Aid

Director Of Financial Aid

Vance-Granville Community College is where meaningful work meets real community impact. At VGCC, you'll be part of a supportive, mission-driven team dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality education that transforms lives. Your work will help open doors for students, strengthen local communities, and prepare individuals for in-demand careers. Every day offers the chance to see the direct impact of what you do. If you're energized by purpose, collaboration, and making a difference, we invite you to apply. VGCC is seeking a strategic and student-centered leader to serve as Director of Financial Aid. This key position provides leadership and oversight for all financial aid operations, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while delivering high-quality service to students. The Director plays a critical role in advancing student access and success by developing effective processes, supporting a collaborative team environment, and promoting equitable access to financial resources that help students achieve their educational goals. In accordance with the organizational chart and overall plan of Vance-Granville Community College, the Director of Financial Aid reports to the Vice President, Instruction and Student Services.

Teleworking: This position is eligible for teleworking one day per week following a training period and demonstrated ability to work independently to be determined by the Vice President.

Salary: VGCC considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; and internal peer equity in offer calculations. Application review and interview scheduling may begin prior to the posted closing date. The position may be filled before the closing date; therefore, applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible for full consideration.

The following listing of essential job duties indicates the general nature and level of work required in this job. This is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of all the activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required in this job. Individuals assigned to this job may be asked to perform other duties as required. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

Essential Duties

• Administers, leads, implements, plans, and evaluates all operations and activities within the Financial Aid Office.
• Interprets federal (Department of Education (ED), Veterans Administration (VA)), state policies and institutional policies regarding student financial aid programs and ensures compliance with all.
• Administers the disbursement and reconciliation of federal, VA, state, continuing education, and institutional aid programs including requesting and returning funds to ED and various state entities.
• Completes federal, state, VA, and institutional reporting requirements.
• Implements and maintains electronic communication with ED, VA and other agencies as needed, including submitting and receiving aid applications, corrections, payment data, and other records.
• Maintains a system to ensure confidentiality and storage of student records according to federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Initiates and performs the annual setup of Colleague (software by Ellucian) for financial aid processing and prepares annual financial aid forms.
• Develops, maintains and updates financial aid consumer information for the College.
• Develops and maintains the Financial Aid Procedures Manual.
• Compiles statistical data and reports to evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency of financial aid programs and to generate program changes or additions.
• Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned staff.
• Works collaboratively with other departments on campus, especially the Business Office, Registrar's Office, Admissions Office, Call Center, Academic Advising, Continuing Education, and the VGCC Foundation to evaluate processes, communicate needs, and ensure quality service to students.
• Establish an annual financial aid processing and disbursement calendar
• Ensure consistency in communication
• Ensure knowledge of financial aid regulations remains current and accurate
• Interpret policies and procedures
• Coordinates financial aid events and attends other events as requested by college departments, area high schools, prospective/current students, and the community.
• Counsels students on the financial aid processes, requirements, and issues ensuring quality service to students, families, and other constituents.
• Attends professional development activities to stay abreast of federal and state regulations. Ensures Financial Aid staff actively participate in professional development activities.
• Engages the Financial Aid office in strategic planning and submits related materials.
• Submits budget recommendations and administers the budget appropriation assigned to the Financial Aid Office.
• Performs other duties as assigned by Vice President, Instruction and Student Services.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in business, public administration, accounting, education or related field.
• Five years of professional experience in higher education financial aid.
• Five years of experience supervising a team of financial aid staff.
• New hires who do not already live within this distance must establish and maintain a primary residence within a one-hour drive of the Henderson Campus within 90 days of their start date.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with executive and mid-level leaders as well as with faculty and staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in providing quality customer service.
• Ability to work under continual deadlines requiring great attention to detail while managing competing responsibilities.
• Must be able to travel throughout the College's service area as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, public administration, accounting, education or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of three years of experience working with Colleague, the student information system used by the North Carolina Community College System.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in a North Carolina Community College. Minimum of three years of supervisory experience.
• Minimum of five years of recent professional experience in higher education financial aid including demonstrated expertise in financial aid programs and regulations.

Physical Demands

• Normal office environment including sitting and/or standing for prolonged periods.
• Duties may require intermittent light physical effort in carrying, lifting, or moving lightweight materials or equipment (up to 25 pounds).
• Ability to use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copiers, and scanners, with or without reasonable accommodation

Vance-Granville Community College offers a variety of benefits to meet the individual needs and goals of its employees. Below is a summary of benefits available to full-time employees.

• health insurance
• dental insurance
• vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement plan
• leave (faculty earn sick leave; staff earn sick and vacation leave)
• professional development
• supplemental insurance plans
• employee assistance program (EAP)
• additional benefits